DELIBERATE Synonyms: 140 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'deliberate' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of deliberate are intentional , voluntary , and willing . While all these words mean "done or brought about of one's own will," deliberate implies full consciousness of the nature of one's act and its consequences. // deliberate acts of sabotage

Q: When is 'intentional' a more appropriate choice than 'deliberate'?

The meanings of intentional and deliberate largely overlap; however, intentional stresses an awareness of an end to be achieved. // the intentional concealment of vital information

Q: When is it sensible to use 'voluntary' instead of 'deliberate'?

In some situations, the words voluntary and deliberate are roughly equivalent. However, voluntary implies freedom and spontaneity of choice or action without external compulsion. // a voluntary confession

Q: Where would 'willing' be a reasonable alternative to 'deliberate'?

While the synonyms willing and deliberate are close in meaning, willing implies a readiness and eagerness to accede to or anticipate the wishes of another. // willing obedience

deliberate 1 of 2

adjective

di-ˈli-bə-rət

Definition of deliberate

as in considered

decided on as a result of careful thought the judge made a deliberate decision to impose the maximum sentence

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in conscious

made, given, or done with full awareness of what one is doing a deliberate act of vandalism that should not go unpunished

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

deliberate

2 of 2

verb

di-ˈli-bə-ˌrāt

as in to contemplate

to give serious and careful thought to the jury deliberated the case for three days before returning a verdict

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word deliberate different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of deliberate are intentional, voluntary, and willing. While all these words mean "done or brought about of one's own will," deliberate implies full consciousness of the nature of one's act and its consequences.

deliberate acts of sabotage

When is intentional a more appropriate choice than deliberate?

The meanings of intentional and deliberate largely overlap; however, intentional stresses an awareness of an end to be achieved.

the intentional concealment of vital information

When is it sensible to use voluntary instead of deliberate?

In some situations, the words voluntary and deliberate are roughly equivalent. However, voluntary implies freedom and spontaneity of choice or action without external compulsion.

a voluntary confession

Where would willing be a reasonable alternative to deliberate?

While the synonyms willing and deliberate are close in meaning, willing implies a readiness and eagerness to accede to or anticipate the wishes of another.

willing obedience

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of deliberate

Adjective

Katz described the operation as a deliberate effort to manufacture collisions and submit fraudulent claims. — ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026 In the first incident, Attwell will have had to keep his eyes down on the tackle, which is late and deliberate, and so loses his peripheral vision that might have picked up Munoz breaking into the area. — Graham Scott, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Verb

Jurors began deliberating in the murder trial of Lindsay Clancy, who killed her three young children at their Massachusetts home in 2023. — David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 27 Aug. 2026 The jury returned majority verdicts after deliberating for six hours and 29 minutes, the outlets reported. — Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for deliberate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for deliberate

Adjective

And Moke was no longer a considered tropical cyclone after skirting Hawaii as a tropical storm, the center said.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026
Others have a tight, considered design, especially the islands meant to highlight a specific weapon or gadget.

— Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 23 July 2026

Definition of considered

Adjective

The usual crowd here, though, is the design-conscious traveler, along with couples looking for more character than the usual glass-tower Tokyo hotel.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026
As surgeons worked behind her ear, Peasley listened to the music and remained conscious throughout the procedure.

— Marlee Ginter, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of conscious

Verb

Even in the midst of this global struggle, Roosevelt contemplated the future and envisioned the critical role that a new United Nations might play.

— John T. Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
But Williams — who is set to compete with her sister Serena Williams in the Open’s doubles tournament this week — wasn’t ready to contemplate what’s next for her career after that.

— Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of contemplate

Adjective

Interestingly, none of our 25 calculated ‘breaches’ outside of the pandemic years saw a club exceed the 115 per cent threshold, which would now incur a sporting sanction.

— Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
For decades, departments like finance, operations and product have operated under this standard of calculated risk.

— Tobin Thomas, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of calculated

Adjective

Sullivan agreed to include instructions on voluntary manslaughter but not the Bowden charge.

— Sumiko Corley, NBC news, 26 Aug. 2026
Water cuts split states Under the new rules, four states – Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Wyoming – are allowed to implement voluntary water reductions instead of mandatory cuts.

— James Powel, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of voluntary

Verb

Sierra College has three quarterbacks to ponder, and all will play early, Noonan said.

— JOE DAVIDSON, Sacbee.com, 27 Aug. 2026
The question to ponder in sports today is whether speech functions as an act with a cost or as a renewable resource for an audience happy to waste time on slop.

— Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of ponder

Adjective

None are credible challengers; Matt Conroy is the more reasoned and moderate of the three.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
This is a time for cool, calm and reasoned debate, and for legislators to think through the consequences of legislation put forth.

— Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 15 Jan. 2026

Definition of reasoned

Adjective

On TikTok, little treat culture has become shorthand for turning tiny everyday purchases into something that feels earned and intentional.

— Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 24 Aug. 2026
Colored Light Bulbs and Lava Lamps Colored bulbs and lava lamps may conjure images of ’90s bedrooms, but nostalgic lighting is returning in a more intentional way.

— Angelika Pokovba, Martha Stewart, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of intentional

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“Deliberate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deliberate. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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